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SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 






Of this first edition of 
Sidney Lanier at Oglethorpe University 
One-hundred and fifty copies have been printed 



SIDNEY LANIER AT THE AGE OF FIFTEEN 

From au ambrotype in the possession of the family 

The badge of the Thalian Society may be 
seen on the left lapel of his coat. 








SIDNEY LANIER 

AT 

OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


By 

LEOLA(SELMAN iBEESON 

\\ 


Introduction by 

MRS. JOHN W. DANIEL ,' / State Regent, 
Georgia Daughters of the American Revolution 
1934-1936 


l 


MACON, GEORGIA 
THE J. W. BURKE COMPANY 

19 3 6 






PS 22B 



7 

Copyright, 1936, by 
LEOLA SELMAN BEESON 
All Rights Reserved 



©Cl A 92111 0 

f 

r»* (936, \ 


To my husband. Dr. Jasper Luther Beeson, who as President of 
the Georgia State College for Women, built the beautiful 
fire-proof Ina Dillard Russell Library which will 
house the historical document upon which 
this book is based, 

and : 

to the thousands of Georgia girls who have entered the doors of 
this College, next-door neighbor to that Oglethorpe Uni¬ 
versity of old, where to Thalian Hall, which still 
stands, their willing feet have made a beaten 
path to the room which was enriched 
for all time by the presence in 
it of Sidney Lanier, Geor¬ 
gia's poet supreme. 






FOREWORD 


This book represents an attempt to make use of recently dis¬ 
covered historical material, by portraying a small segment of 
the life of Sidney Lanier and his brother Clifford; the one Geor¬ 
gia’s most gifted poet, musician, literary critic, soldier, states¬ 
man; the other, his noble and beloved younger brother. 

This new material is found in an old ledger eight and a 
quarter by twelve and a quarter inches, of three hundred and 
eighteen pages, and entitled, “The Minutes of the Thalian So¬ 
ciety of Oglethorpe University.” Its discovery and possession, 
make a happy adventure in Georgia history. 

At a meeting of the Thalian Society on June 11, 1859, “Mr. 
Wiley made a motion that the Treasurer be ordered to get a 
new book for the Recording Secretary, which was carried.” This 
new book, into which were copied the minutes of June 4, 1859, 
is the foundation upon which this book is based. 

The author, having the honor to serve as State Historian, 
Georgia Daughters of the American Revolution, for two terms 
of two years each, 1930-1932, 1934-1936, planned, at first to 
offer portions of this manuscript under the D. A. R. insigna, as 
historical material for research assistance. The plan is now 
changed, and these episodes in the social, intellectual, and his¬ 
torical life of Sidney Lanier at the University which produced 
him, are published privately. 

Part I, consists of glimpses of Sidney Lanier through the 
years 1859-1860-1861, and of Clifford Lanier through the years 
of 1860-1861. 

In addition to information about the Laniers, the author, 
from the source material of the Minutes, will show that for 
the first time in our history, we can know about: first, the build¬ 
ing of Thalian Hall; second, the broad interests of the Thalian 
Society in literary affairs, in foreign affairs and in the burning 


FOREWORD 


issues of the day, as is demonstrated in the debates; third, the 
continual addition of books to the library; fourth, the names 
of the regular members; fifth, the names of the honorary mem¬ 
bers of the Thalian Society. 

Part II, is concerned with the Oglethorpe Marker erected 
by the State Historian D. A. R. on the site of the old University, 
with the Oglethorpe garden and pool made in honor of it, and 
other pertinent matters. 

The author’s interest in Lanier has been almost life long. She 
was a member of The Lanier Circle at Shorter College, as far 
back as 1892. 

As a college girl, she often heard the Reverend Dr. J. M. 
Goetchius tell of his experiences at Oglethorpe University, and 
of his friendship for Lanier. 

She has had the pleasure of knowing Captain T. F. Newell, 
a one-time roommate of Sidney Lanier, and also Mrs. Elizabeth 
Smith Robson, daughter of Professor R. W. Smith, of Ogle¬ 
thorpe University. Mrs. Robson, as “one of the young set,” had 
often listened to the serenades when Sidney Lanier played his 
magic flute, and she herself, was honored by some of them. 

In 1930, the author had an interview with the Reverend Dr. 
George L. Petrie, who at that time was the oldest living alumnus 
of Oglethorpe University. He was a first honor graduate, and 
as a friend of Sidney Lanier, had the liveliest recollections of 
him and the old University. 

Later, as President of a County Federation of Clubs, the 
author, for five years, sent Sidney Lanier Programs of song and 
story and verse, into every rural school in her county, and in one 
year, could and did make the proud boast, that every school child 
in Baldwin County knew by heart. The Song of the Chattahoo¬ 
chee. 

The Minutes present a small, but true mirror of the social, 
political, cultural, and religious life wherein Georgia can look 
at her past. 

There are fleeting glimpses of many that one would like to 
know, and of one who, as William T. Ellis said of the Hebrew 
poet David, lived a greater epic than any poem he ever wrote* 


FOREWORD 


of one who “ate bitterness,” and was not embittered, of one who 
learned in suffering what he taught in song; also, of one whose 

“song was only living aloud, 

His work a singing with his hand.” 

For the illustrations in this book, the author is indebted to 
the Nancy Hart Chapter, D. A. R., for the picture of Oglethorpe 
University, to Mrs. H. D. Allen, Sr., author of Our Children’s 
Ancestry f for the pictures of Thalian Hall, Sidney Lanier’s room 
in Thalian Hall, the Oglethorpe rock garden and pool, and of the 
manuscript map. She is indebted to Miss Winifred G. Crowell, 
of The Georgia State College for Women, for reviewing and 
criticising the manuscript, and to Miss Elizabeth Carter, of the 
same College for typing it. 


Leola Selman Beeson. 






CONTENTS 


Part I 

Page 

Minutes of the Thalian Society .i 

Sidney Lanier.8 

Thalian Hall.16 

Honorary Members of the Thalian Society . . 22 

Regular Members of the Thalian Society ... 24 

Presidents of the Thaltan Society.26 

The Library of the Thalian Society.27 

Subjects of Debates in the Thalian Society . . 28 

Six Elect Ladies. .34 

Two Tutors and Two Professors.35 

Part II 

Discovery of the Old Corner Stone.39 

Three Memorials.4 1 

Two Manuscript Maps of Oglethorpe 

University Grounds and A Part of Midway . . 49 

The Physical Death of Oglethorpe University . 52 

Addendum 

Catalogue of The Thalian Literary Society . , . 53 





































ILLUSTRATIONS 


Page 

Sidney Lanier. Frontispiece 

Oglethorpe University.2 

Thalian Hall.18 

Sidney Lanier's Room in Thalian Hall .... 48 

Old-Time, Two-Room Dormitory.4 

Marker On Site of Oglethorpe University ... 42 

The Oglethorpe Garden ........ 44 

Signature of J. A. Weems.46 

Signature of the Reverend James Thomas ... 46 

Manuscript Map.50 















INTRODUCTION 


“In this year, 1935, when a sister organization is offering in 
nomination the name of Sidney Lanier, Georgia’s poet, for a 
place in the Hall of Fame in New York University, the State 
Historian of the Georgia Society, D A. R., Mrs. J. L. Beeson, 
announces the discovery and ownership of “The Minutes of the 
Thalian Society of Oglethorpe University” (which was a secret 
literary society), from the year 1839 through 1863. 

“Sidney Lanier was for a time president of this Society. He 
was often a declaimer and often a debater. Always the subjects 
were announced, and always the results, whether victory or de¬ 
feat attended the efforts. 

“Old books are extant today, with “Presented by Thalia,” on 
the fly leaf. We know now, the names of the young men who 
were “Thalia.” We knozv also, how the books of the Library 
were obtained, and it is a pleasure to read that thanks for one 
were returned to Professor James Woodrow who was the chief 
joy and inspiration of Sidney Lanier. 

“Many distinguished southern men were honorary members, 
but in this report appear only the names of the actual members 
during the four years. So far as is known, it is the only record 
that exists of one hundred and six members”. Quoted from the 
report of Mrs. John W. Daniel, State Regent of Georgia Daugh¬ 
ters of the American Revolution, made in Washington, D. C., at 
the D. A. R. Congress, April, 1935. 





SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


PART I 































































































































SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


Chapter I 

Minutes of the Thalian Society of Oglethorpe University 
from 

June 4, 1859 through June 11, 1863 

The minutes of a Literary Society which conformed strictly 
to its Rules of Order, except on very special occasions, make 
infrequent disclosures of many things one would like to know; 
hut in the light of after-events, one can dramatize many episodes 
which punctuated the regular routine of business. 

The social, historical, and religious background, as revealed 
in the minutes, add a lustre to the old-time Liberal Arts College 
or University; and the marvel is not at the littleness of the ac¬ 
complishment, but at the greatness of it. 

A reading-through of the old Minutes becomes more fasci¬ 
nating than any adventure of Alice in Wonderland! 

If they are read in conjunction with the Reverend Doctor 
James Stacy’s Chapter on Oglethorpe University, in his History 
of the Presbyterian Church in Georgia, the interest is still further 
increased, for this is a later-day record of some of the students. 

Dr. Edwin Mimms in his Sidney Lanier, tells the story that 
after Lanier joined this secret Literary Society, he wrote to his 
father, “I have derived more benefit from that, than any one 
of my Collegiate studies. We meet together in a nice room, read 
compositions, declaim and debate upon interesting subjects.” 

When the author of this book told Dr. Mimms of the dis¬ 
covery of the Minutes, his first question was “Do they tell how 
the books of the Society were procured? I have often wondered 
how Lanier managed to obtain books and to read so broadly.” 

Aubrey Harrison Starke, also, in his Sidney Lanier, says, “no 


< 1 * 



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The Main Building of Oglethorpe University designed by McCluskey, completed by 1840, at 

a cost of $38,800.00, 




















SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


adequate study of Lanier’s early reading and of the influence of 
his reading on his thought has yet been made.” 

The Minutes deal with everything that pertained to the So¬ 
ciety, from the smallest to the greatest: from the brooms and 
dusters and the wood, and hiring old Charley to cut it, on up 
to purchasing books and maps and catalogues and diplomas and 
especially building and furnishing the new Thalian Hall. 

The Society met every Saturday morning, unless something 
was happening in Milledgeville, the Capital of the State, which 
was considered of more importance. Even then, there was always 
a called meeting, when it was formally decided that the regular 
meeting on that day would be dispensed with. 

The other Literary Society at Oglethorpe University was the 
Phi Delta, and the greatest decorum was observed between the 
two. It is judged that their membership was about the same, and 
that their officers were of the same name and number, and that 
their accomplishments were about the same. It was a friendly 
rivalry only, that made the Annual Debate of the greatest im¬ 
portance, and also the selection of Anniversary and Commence¬ 
ment Orators and Commencement Essayists. 

The first minutes in the book, are those of June 4, 1859. “A 
motion was made and carried that we elect and alternate to 
Colonel Hook. The Society then proceeded to ballot for an Al¬ 
ternate which resulted in the election of Honorable A. Stevens.” 

“Mr. Bradwell read a letter from Narine and Company, in 
reference to the diplomas.” 

At a called meeting on June 7, 1869, it was moved “that Mr. 
Flournoy be allowed to take from the library one of Judge 
Warner’s addresses, and that a committee be appointed to have 
it published in the papers and that Mr. Hook of Sandersville, 
Georgia, is to be our Commencement Orator.” 

At a meeting of the Thalian Society June 25, 1859, u Mr. 
Slaughter made a motion that the Corresponding Secretary be 
ordered to write to Honorable A. H. Stevens and ask him to 
act as our Chairman, if he attends Commencement here, which 
was carried.” “Mr. Ladson made a motion which was carried 


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SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


that a committee of three be appointed to request Colonel Hook 
to let us have a copy of his speech for publication, and that our 
chairman be one of the three.” 

On July 9, 1859, u Mr. Ladson made a motion which was 
carried, that we elect a committee to keep order in our proces¬ 
sion and among the little boys and Negroes.” 

Later at the meeting, “Mr. Ladson made a motion that the 
same committee appointed to confer with a committee from the 
Phi Delta Society in relation to keeping order, be authorized to 
inform the Phi Deltas that they mistook the spirit of our letter 
and that we never intended to keep the Phi Deltas and ladies 
in order, which was carried.” 

The two Societies joined also, in the preparations for the great 
twenty-second of February and Fourth of July anniversaries. 
To the latter, they invited The Baldwin Blues of Milledgeville, 
and on one occasion, “The Baldwin Blues and all the other mili¬ 
tary societies of Milledgeville,” to join them, and candles and 
candlesticks were ordered to be bought to illuminate the chapel. 
Each Society always had a special orator, chosen from their 
membership, to make an address, at these patriotic celebrations. 

The Order of Business was as follows: first roll-call, reading 
of the minutes, election of honorary members, election of regu¬ 
lar members (whose names were presented by the chaperon, 
balloted for, and duly initiated when elected), report of com¬ 
mittees on questions, arrangements, special business, declaimers, 
discussion of question of last debate, announcement of the de¬ 
cision, promiscuous business, session of the court and last roll- 
call. 

At the Session of the Court, fines were imposed for minor and 
for great offences, the former being often repealed at the next 
meeting. 

One member was expelled from the Society. It was voted to 
erase his name from the list of members, and from the cata¬ 
logues, and a committee was named to inform him of his expul¬ 
sion. 

At almost every meeting, the Debate was entered into in a 


€{ 5 \> 


SIDNEY LANIER 


serious manner. It is no marvel, after reading the subjects of 
the debates, and the frequency of them, and the preparations for 
them, that many of the seventy-two ministers, among three 
hundred and seventeen graduates, and many among the under¬ 
graduates also, from sheer love of skillful argument, became 
adepts in the use of the felicitous phrase and the rounded period. 

The officers of the Society were: President, Vice-President, 
Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Librarian, As¬ 
sistant Librarian, Chaperon, Treasurer, Solicitor, Assistant So¬ 
licitor, First Judge and Second Judge. 

From the first meeting until the last, the Order of Business was 
the same, until in those heart-breaking days of the War Between 
the States, it is recorded at the meeting of February 14, 1862, 
“At a meeting of the Society, James G. Lane and Charles Cole¬ 
man, being the only members present, the Society was organized 
by them, Lane acting as President and Coleman as Secretary. 
The following gentlemen presented themselves for initiation: 
Messrs. Banks, Bothwell, J. Whitaker and T. Whitaker. These 
gentlemen being duly initiated, the Society proceeded to its regu¬ 
lar business. 

“In view of the anomalous circumstances with which we are 
surrounded, it was thought best to omit the regular entrance and 
term fees until such times as the Society shall be thoroughly 
organized, at which time, the aforesaid gentlemen will pay into 
the hands of the Treasurer the initiation fee prescribed by the 
Constitution”. 

“There being an unusual scarcity of members and too many 
duties would devolve upon the members present, it was deemed 
unnecessary to fill offices omitted for the present.” 

In the back of the ledger with 1862, at the head of the column,, 
is Roll of the Thalian Society as follows: Banks, Bothwell, Cole¬ 
man, Lane, Myrick, J. Whitaker, T. Whitaker, Bivins, Brad¬ 
ford, Hunter, and Colclough. These are the names of the boys 
who were too young to join the army. 

Reverend James Stacy says, “The war coming on amid the gen¬ 
eral excitement of the country and the tread of contending; 


4 6 }> 


AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


armies, the exercises of the College were necessarily interfered 
with. Those exercises were regularly carried on until 1862, when 
the last class graduated, the young men being all called away 
by the “Conscription Act,” but receiving their diplomas by con¬ 
sent of the Board, as they were so near through their studies.” 
One reads in the Minutes of May 5, 1862, “On motion Messrs. 
Lane and Coleman who were on the eve of departure addressed 
the Thalian Society.” The names Charles Coleman and James 
G. Lane are two of the four, who were given their diplomas that 
year. 

The last Minutes of the year were recorded June 11, 1863. 
“Mr. Whitaker moved the members pay their initiation fee to 
the treasurer, and that we pay the debts the Society owe, which 
was carried. 

“Mr. Colquitt moved that all the members use their utmost 
endeavor to gather in the books which were out of the library. 
The Court met and transacted business after which the members 
were called on for a farewell address and Mr. Bothwell gave us 
a strong speech. 

“It was moved and carried that these Minutes be approved 
and entered on the book, as it was the last meeting of the term. 
The last roll was called and the Society adjourned until next 
term. 

S. W. Bothwell, President 

J. D. Stetson. Recording Secretary” 

Never again were the students to assemble at the old Uni¬ 
versity at Midway. 

It was as President Thornwell Jacobs, of Oglethorpe Uni¬ 
versity, Atlanta, Georgia, said in a Chautauque address, “Ogle¬ 
thorpe bled to death on the fields Vicksburg and Appomattox.” 




Chapter II 


SIDNEY LANIER 

When one reads in the Minutes the name Mr. Sidney Lanier, 
or S. C. Lanier, or Sid C. Lanier, or Sid Lanier, and in one in¬ 
stance Sid S. Lanier, there immediately comes a mystic call to 
some far-off fairy land, and happy is one when that land is found 
to lie at one’s very door! It is the search for “The Windows of 
Gold,” in the old story, repeated. Instead of gazing upon them in 
Macon, or in Montgomery, Alabama, or in Montvale, Tennessee, 
familiar haunts of Sidney Lanier, one looks back, and sees their 
golden gleam at home, at old Midway, two miles from Milledge- 
ville, the old Capital of the State. 

Before the Minutes begin, June 4, 1859, Sidney Lanier had 
attended Oglethorpe University for a year, and then had been 
absent a year. In the fall of 1859, he returned, and at the very 
first meeting of the Thalian Society, was named on a committee. 

At the second meeting, a week later, he was a speaker on the 
negative side of the debate, the subject of which was, “Do Savage 
Nations Possess a Full Right to the Soil?” 

At the third meeting, October 22, 1859, he was a debatant 
on the affirmative side of the question, which read: Was the 
Execution of Louis XVI Justifiable? 

At a called meeting of the Society, on November 8, 1859, the 
committee on the publication of six hundred copies of Colonel 
Hook’s address, made their report, and “a motion was made 
that a committee be appointed to present 200 copies to the 
Phi Delta, ten copies to Professor Woodrow, five to each of 
the other Professors, except Mr. Knox who has ten, to reserve 
twenty-five copies for Library and then distribute the remainder 
among regular members of the society. On this committee were 
appointed Messrs. Kendrick, Lanier and Goetchius.” 


*€{ 8 


SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


At the meeting on November 12, 1859, it is recorded: “Mr. 
Johnson, the president elect for the next year, having left col¬ 
lege, it becomes necessary to fill the vacancy. The Society pro¬ 
ceeded to the election and there being only one nomination be¬ 
fore the house, the Constitution was suspended and Mr. S. C. 
Lanier elected “viva voce.” He began his term of office almost 
a month later. At this meeting, a motion was made and seconded, 
to lie on the table two weeks, that the appointed debatants have 
the privilege of the closing speech in the regular debates—Mr. 
S. C. Lanier, mover, J. M. Goetchius, second.” After the two 
weeks had passed, the motion was considered and lost. 

On November 26, 1859, Lanier was one of the debatants on 
the negative side of the question “Docs the Pulpit Afford a 
Better Field of Eloquence than the Bar?” The decision was for 
the affirmative by thirteen majority. 

Sidney Lanier became President of the Thalian Society on 
December 10, 1859. As was the custom, “the Ex-President con¬ 
ducted his successor to the chair who made an eloquent and 
interesting address. The new officers took their seats. Speeches 
were made by new officers in obedience to calls.” 

From December 10, 1859, to February 25, i860, the name of 
Sidney Lanier as President of the Society, at regular meetings 
and called meetings, is signed twelve times by the Secretary, 
just above his own name. While E. P. Cater served as Secretary, 
the name is always S. C. Lanier, President. When J. W. Kendrick 
became secretary, he wrote above his own name, the President’s 
name as Sid S. Lanier, and Sidney C. Lanier, and Sid Lanier, and 
one time Sid S. Lanier. 

At this first meeting with Lanier as President, “In promiscuous 
business, a communication was received from the Phi Delta So¬ 
ciety requesting us to appoint a committee to confer with their 
committee in relation to questions for debate in the Annual Con¬ 
test. 

“As preparatory to that, an election was entered into for de- 
batant, resulting in election of E. P. Cater. The committee was 
then appointed, viz.: Messrs. Thomas, Cater, and W. Fuhon. 


SIDNEY LANIER 


“Motion was made and carried to elect a Senior Essayist. Mr. 
S. C. Lanier was elected by suspension of the Constitution and 
“viva voce” vote. It was moved and carried that a committee 
of five be appointed to prepare catalogues. Committee consists 
of Messrs. Greer, Presly, Martin, Kendrick, and Varnadoe. 
Moved and carried that the Committee on Catalogues be ordered 
to insert in the catalogues the names of Messrs. G. F. Johnson 
and A. F. Little, and that different marks be attached to the 
names of those who are expelled and who resign.” 

On May 28, i860, at a called meeting, the chairman of the 
catalogue committee “reported that they had come, and a great 
many mistakes were found in them. Mr. Cater made a motion 
that we send them back and make the printers pay the return 
express. Mr. S. Lanier offered a substitute which was that we 
send him a letter and inform him of the mistakes and ask him 
what arrangement could be made about this, which was carried.” 

On Oct. 6, i860, “ Mr. Dean read a letter respecting cata¬ 
logues. Mr. Cater moved that we present to Mr. Samuel Whit¬ 
aker 25 catalogues and return thanks to him for his kindness. 
Mr. Varnadoe moved to present 10 catalogues to James Whit¬ 
aker, Gen. My rick and Prof. Woodrow, which was carried.” 
At a later meeting it was moved and carried that ten copies 
of our Society catalogues be sent to the Phi Kappa Society of 
Athens, Ga.” 

On January 4, i860, “A letter w r as read from Professor Joseph 
LeConte, of Columbia, S. C., accepting honorary membership, 
but stating that he was an honorary member of the Phi Delta So¬ 
ciety. During the discussion of a motion which was lost, it was 
moved and carried that Mr. S. Lanier be allowed a second 
speech.” 

At a later discussion of Professor LeConte’s letter to the 
Society, the Corresponding Secretary was asked to write to the 
one elected as honorary member and say “if he is not already a 
member of the Phi Delta Society he is elected.” 

At the second meeting of Lanier as President, on January 7, 
i860, “Two books were received from Mrs. S. Whitaker and 


4 10 


AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


thanks were returned.” The following question was chosen for 
debate: Does the Harper’s Ferry Insurrection Justify the Se¬ 
cession of the South, which was “discussed and decided in favor 
of the negative.” 

Mr. C. LaFlore of Carthage, Mississippi, was elected to hon¬ 
orary membership in the Thalian Society, and “The Chaperon 
proposed the names of the following gentlemen for regular mem¬ 
bership in the Thalian Society, viz.: Messrs. C. A. Lanier, R. E. 
Quarterman, J. S. Spencer and B. L. Baker, and it was moved 
and carried that the Constitution be suspended and they all be 
elected at once. Those gentlemen were then duly initiated into 
the Thalian Society.” 

At this meeting, “it was moved and carried that a committee 
of three be appointed to prepare a list of moral and metaphysical 
works, report the same to the Society and send for such books 
as the Society approves of. The Committee consists of Goetchius, 
Dunn and Slaughter.” 

At the next meeting, “A report was received from the Com¬ 
mittee on Books, and the Committee ordered to purchase as 
many books as the state of the treasury would allow.” 

“The following question was chosen for the next debate, viz.: 
Is Free Religious Toleration Dangerous to Republicanism? A 
week later it was decided in the negative, by a majority of seven¬ 
teen votes. 

On January 14, i860, “it was moved and carried that Mr. 
Knox’s name be placed on the roll of the Society, and he be al¬ 
lowed to participate in the business of the Society with all the 
privileges of an honorary member. A book presented by J. M. 
Goetchius was received and thanks were returned to the gentle¬ 
man. It was moved and carried that the book be only taken out 
of the library by the Committee on Question. A book was re¬ 
ceived from Mr. W. A. Way, and thanks were returned to the 
gentleman.” 

“It was moved and carried that a committee be appointed to 
confer with the Phi Delta Society in regard to expunging the 


4 11 ]9> 


SIDNEY LANIER 


name of Dr. Howe from the list of honorary members of that 
Society who elected him last.” 

The subject of the debate for the next week was: Should the 
United States Have Assisted in the Emancipation of the Greeks f 
“During the debate, it was moved and carried that Mr. Knox 
be allowed to finish his speech.” 

At the meeting on January 28, i860, “The new members of 
the Sophomore class in the Society, were then called upon ac¬ 
cording to a motion passed a few meetings previous, and most 
of them spoke, in order that we may choose from them our 
Sophomore Declaimer in the Annual Contest. The election was 
entered into by a motion and Mr. Coney was elected. It was 
moved and carried that we elect our fourth of July orator. Mr. J. 
C. Fulton was elected by a “viva voce” vote. It was moved that 
as it was the anniversary of our Society that we hear from our 
Orator, and Mr. Kendrick then gave us an eloquent address.” 

“A book was presented to the Society by Dr. James Woodrow, 
which was received and thanks returned to the gentleman.” 

“It was moved that Mr. J. E. Fulton be allowed to take out 
and keep as long as he wished, as many books from the Library. 
It was moved that the same courtesy usually extended to our 
debatant be extended to Mr. Cater. Mr. Varnadoe being our 
Twenty-second of February orator resigned his office and Mr. 
Prestly was elected to fill his place.” 

Thalian Hall, 

February 3, i860. 

“At a called meeting moved and carried that we adjourn the 
Saturday following as it was the day preceding the communion 
in town. 

S. C. Lanier, President 

J. W. Kendrick, Recording Secretary 

Before this date, on Saturday, October 5, 1859, in W. R. M. 
Slaughter’s Presidency, there was a “Motion to suspend the Con¬ 
stitution, in order to allow the members to attend communion 
in Milledgeville.” 


4 12 


AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


On May 4, i860, at a called meeting, with Mr. Cater, Presi¬ 
dent, it was moved and carried “that we suspend the usual exer¬ 
cises of the day on the fifth in order to attend preaching in 
Milledgeville.” 

In November i860, at a called meeting, Mr. J. Varnadoe 
moved “to suspend the regular meeting on Saturday, so that the 
members who desired might attend preaching in Milledgeville.” 

At a called meeting on February 9, i860, “it was moved and 
carried that a committee be appointed to confer with a com¬ 
mittee appointed by the Ph. D. Society, in reference to music the 
Twenty-second of February and at the contest.” It was an¬ 
nounced at a later meeting, that a band from Macon would 
furnish the music. 

On February 22, i860, “it was moved and carried that a com¬ 
mittee be appointed to invite the military companies from Mil¬ 
ledgeville to meet with us tonight.” 

“A catalogue of Books was then presented to the Society by 
Reverend C. W. Lane, through Mr. W. R. M. Slaughter.” 

“Moved and carried that the building committee be ordered 
to send the note now due in order that it may be settled.” The 
question for debate was : Ought an Infidel to he Allowed to Tes¬ 
tify in a Court of Justice?” 

The subject of the last debate under Lanier’s Presidency was: 
Has More Good than Evil Resulted to the World from the Life 
and Religion of Mahometf 

At Lanier’s last meeting, a called one, on February 22, i860, 
“thanks were returned to some members who had presented 
candlesticks for the night of the Twenty-second, they being the 
same gentlemen who presented the table.” 

At this meeting, a “motion was made to elect Senior Essayist. 
Mr. S. C. Lanier was elected by suspension of the Constitution, 
and “viva voce” vote.” As the time drew near for writing the 
Essay, at the meeting on February 25, i860, H. Millican, Presi¬ 
dent, it was recorded, “On motion, Mr. S. Lanier was permitted 
to be absent from Society until April and during that time to 
have the use of what books he wishes from the library.” 


SIDNEY LANIER 


On November 29, i860, “at a call meeting, by motion of Mr. 
Quarterman, a previous motion that we march up in procession 
on the eve of the contest was reconsidered. By motion of Mr. 
S. Lanier it was resolved that we shall not march up in pro¬ 
cession.” 

Sidney Lanier became tutor, in the fall of i860, succeeding 
Mr. Knox, whose name has already appeared in the minutes. 
On November 10, i860, one reads “At the request of Mr. 
Cater, Mr. Varnadoe moved first, that a committee of three be 
appointed to have a rostrum erected and library shelves and 
railing ordered for New Hall. Committee, J. Varnadoe, Lanier 
and Weems.” 

Varnadoe and Weems were members of the original building 
committee of Thalian Hall, after Thomas left the University, 
and Sidney Lanier was a member of the original committee of 
three, to consult with the Phi Delta Society as to the construction 
of the two halls. 

The author leans to the belief that it is he who is named on 
this last committee, though others, with equal right, may think 
that it is Clifford, his brother. 

As stated before, Clifford Lanier, during his brother’s Presi¬ 
dency, was initiated into the membership on January 7, i860. 
From that time, on to the close of school in 1861, his name ap¬ 
pears twenty-five time in the Minutes, 

At the very next meeting after he joined, he was a declaimer. 
He figures as a debatant on the aifirmative side of the debate, in 
the last complete minutes of the year 1861, written on April 20. 
The subject was; Ought Public Opinion Be Regarded as the 
Standard of Rightf His side won by a majority of one vote. On 
March 24, i860, both brothers were among the declaimers. 

Clifford, also, was elected to office in the Society, being elected 
Second Judge, Oct. 6, i860. 

If the Minutes may be described as “Eye-witnesses and Mini¬ 
sters of the Word”, both brothers were actively concerned with 
anything and everything that pertained to the Thalian Society. 

As to the time of their leaving the University, to enter the 


4 14 }•> 


AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


army, John S. Mayfield in his Sidney Lanier in Texas, says of 
Sidney Lanier, that he held a tutorship at Oglethorpe University, 
but that “he resigned that position to enlist in the Confederate 
army.” 

Aubrey Harrison Starke says, in his Sidney Lanier , that “in 
1861, he volunteered after finishing his work at Oglethorpe Uni¬ 
versity.” 

In one word, in the Secretary’s Minutes, is surely revealed the 
time when the Secretary learned the date for closing. Even 
after seventy-five years, one feels the happy thrill which came 
to J. S. Stacy, on March 23, 1861. He dutifully recorded the 
Minutes, but underneath drew a short line and wrote in large 
letters, Vacation! 

He was a perfect illustration of the words which Sidney 
Lanier wrote later: “I needs must hurry with the wind and trim 
me best for sailing.” 

It must be said that the Secretary remained long enough to 
copy into the Minute-book three weekly minutes, and the minutes 
of one called meeting. The minutes for April 27, 1861, are dated 
and two and a half lines were written—that is all. There is a 
blank leaf, and on February 14, 1862, almost nine months later, 
the secretary for the new year, began his story with the words, 
“Minutes of the last meeting were read and received with a few 
corrections.” 

Many had gone from the University, and one of whom it was 
said: “For all knowledge is food, as faith is wine, to a genius 
like Lanier.” 


4 15 1 ^ 


Chapter III 


THALIAN HALL 

The Thalian Hall and Library first referred to in the Minutes, 
were in the main University building, as were the Phi Delta Hall 
and Library. 

Motions were made and approved to take up the carpet, to 
replace the broken window panes, to buy baize window curtains, 
and to lend the Hall for the Senior Debates or for special Com¬ 
mencement occasions. 

The names of the Building Committee for the New Hall and 
of one Chairman, especially, have been, through the years, laid 
away in the lavender of the old-time Minutes, and it is only now 
seventy-seven years later, that we are able to know and appreciate 
them. 

At a meeting of the Society, on June n, 1859, “Mr. Little 
moved that we suspend the Constitution, and ballot for a Build¬ 
ing Committee, and Ditmars, Thomas and Weems, were chosen.” 

On October 8, 1859, Mr. Knox reported to the Society “that 
he had raised $15.00 from honorary members, for the purpose 
of aiding in the building of the new hall.” 

On February 25, i860, it is recorded, “On motion, Mr. Varna- 
doe was elected on the building committee in lieu of absence of 
Mr. Thomas.” 

On March 10, i860, “On motion of Mr. Cater, a committee 
was appointed to consult with the Faculty about our New Hall 
made in a form suitable to the will of the Society, on condition 
that we pay the excess in expenditure.” 

From that day on, according to the record, the success of 
really accomplishing the building, is due to Mr. E. P. Cater. He 
becomes no mere Chairman, as named in the Minutes, but a 
charming and capable personality. 


4 16 )> 


SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 

If the Phi Delta Society could have had a chairman as able 
or as persistent, there would have been erected two large Society 
buildings on the University Campus, instead of the one, Thalian 
Hall. 

The Thalian and Phi Delta Societies had obtained permission 
from the faculty, to erect separate and independent halls on the 
“Scholarship Plan,” they arranging the labor of raising the 
money. 

On March 28, i860, at a called meeting of the Society, “Mr. 
Cater read letters from the building Committee, stating that our 
new Hall would be built according to our wishes, provided we 
pay the overplus aside from the $1500.00, as already sub¬ 
scribed.” 

On Mr. Cater’s motion, “it was resolved to ascertain through 
the building committee, what amount would be required, and if 
it exceed not $300, that we have it done,” which was carried. 
At a later meeting, it was decided “that we do not have the 
windows of our New Hall arched.” 

On June 26, i860, Mr. Cater was appointed “to confer with 
the Phi Delta Society as to the construction of the New Hall,” 
and he, and Ward, and Mr. S. Lanier were named as the Com¬ 
mittee. 

On April 21, i860, “By motion of Mr. Quarterman it was 
agreed that we do not have our New Hall built as high as was 
first anticipated, by two feet.” Mr. Cater moved “that w T e do not 
have a wall partition built between our Hall library.” Mr. Flour¬ 
noy moved “that we do* not get Mr. J. Lane to arch our Hall, 
which was carried,” and the committee was ordered to inform 
Mr. Lane of the Society’s decision. 

At a meeting on May 21, i860, Mr. Cater stated “that Mr. 
Lane had agreed to arch our Hall for $100.00,” and made the 
motion “that the Society get him to arch it,” which was carried. 

On May 26, i860, Mr. Cater reported “that Mr. J. Lane 
said he could not arch the Hall for less than $125.00,” and it 
was voted to limit him to that amount. Mr. Cater was named as 
one of a committee of three, “to inform the Building Committee 


4 17 



THALIAN HALL 


































SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 

that the Society will give them the money when they give us the 
Hall finished,” which was carried. 

A committee with Mr. Cater, Chairman, was appointed “to 
consult with the Phi Deltas as to the proper time the Societies 
will pay the $i500.00 pledged by them.” 

On June 30, i860, Mr. Cater read to the Society a joint 
report from The Phi Delta and Thalian Committees, which was 
as follows: “Believing that the contract with the Faculty con¬ 
cerning the New Halls, was to the effect that for the sum of 
$1500.00 each, they the Faculty, were to deliver into our hands 
the Halls in a finished condition, Therefore we, the Phi Delta 
and Thalian Societies mutually pledge each other that we will 
not receive the halls when offered us, unless they are in a finished 
condition. 

“But should the Faculty offer them to us in a finished state, 
we will each come up to our part of the contract, by paying the 
specified sum, upon receiving from the Faculty, along with the 
Halls, a written contract that the Halls are to be our own ex¬ 
clusive property. We only pledge ourselves that they shall never 
be used for purposes inconsistent with the objects and aims of 
the Societies to which they shall belong.” 

At a meeting on July 14, i860, Mr. Cater stated “that Mr. 
Smith told him that unless our Society paid the Building Com¬ 
mittee the sum of $1500.00, they (the Committee) would offer 
our Hall to the Phi Delta Society, and if they did not take it, it 
would be made into dormitories.” 

Mr. Knox moved “that the same Committee inform the Phi 
Delta Society that we will stand up to the agreement.” 

On October 6, i860, Mr. Cater moved “to appoint a com¬ 
mittee to plaster the New Hall,” and he was one of the committee 
named. 

On October 23, i860, at a called meeting, the Treasurer was 
requested “to pay Mr. Lane for arching the New Hall and re¬ 
pairing the old Hall.” 

On November 10, i860, “Mr. Varnadoe moved, at the request 
of Mr. Cater, first, that a committee of three be appointed to 


4 19 }> 


SIDNEY LANIER 


have a rostum erected and library shelves and railing ordered 
for the New Hall. Committee: J. Varnadoe, Lanier and Weems. 
Second, a committee of three to have the hall painted, to write 
on to Macon or elsewhere to contract for curtains and carpet. 
Committee : James Lane, Dean and C. Varnadoe. Third, Com¬ 
mittee of three to write on to Hall Black and Company to con¬ 
tract for two chandeliers and that these committees be subordi¬ 
nate to the building committee. Committee: Mr. Goetchius, Ful¬ 
ton, and Gresham.” 

At meetings this year, the names were called of two citizens 
to whom the Society had loaned money, and the loans were called 
in. In both instances, the Building Committee was named to 
collect the notes, one a $1500.00 note and the other amount not 
named. One supposes these loans were called in to pay for the 
expenses incident to building and furnishing the new Hall. 

The new Hall could have been completed in December i860, 
but the Minutes of December 15, declared that the “Society 
met at the usual time and place.” 

On January 12, 1861, the Minutes begin, “Society assembled 
at the ringing of the bell,” which is the first of three meetings 
so designated. It may be that on this date, the Society met for 
the first time in the new Hall. 

This is the story of Thalian Hall, as revealed in the Minutes, 
and the Hall stands today. We see the arched roof, and the un¬ 
arched windows, and now we can know exactly how it all came 
about. So quiet was the transition from the old Hall to the new, 
that it received no special mention in the Minutes. 

THE AFTERMATH OF THE NEW HALL 

On January 5, 1861, it was moved and carried, “that the 
Building Committee be instructed to negotiate a loan for 
$1500.00 immediately, if possible”—signed E. P. Cater, Presi¬ 
dent, J. A. Gresham, Recording Secretary, protem. 

On February 16, 1861, “A motion was made that the members 
be not allowed to smoke in the Hall on Saturday morning,” 


4 20 


AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


also, “A motion prevailed that the Committee of Arrangements 
be instructed to procure twenty spittoons for the Society.” 

On March 23, 1861, “Mr. Cater made a motion in form 
of a resolution that every member resolve to get as much money 
as possible during vacation for our Hall.” 

On Monday, May 26, 1862, at a called meeting, “It was 
voted that the Committee of Arrangements be authorized to 
lock the lower door when all the members are present, and to 
lock the upper one always.” On October 31, 1862, it was “Moved 
and carried that if any member be found at any time soiling the 
floor, he be fined the sum of twenty-five cents.” 

On March 20, 1863, “It was resolved that a special Committee 
see Mr. Hunter about carrying off the keys to our Hall,” and 
also, “to see Messrs. Colquitt and Bradford about breaking open 
the door of the Hall.” 

On April 18, 1861, at a “called meeting, Mr. Cater made 
a motion that if the members failed to pay, (those who are in 
debt to the Society), before twelve o’clock, that the members 
be assessed one dollar for the purpose of clearing the required 
amount,” also, “Mr. Cater made a motion in form of a resolution 
to raise the term fee to five dollars (having been laid upon the 
table two weeks according to the Constitution), was brought up 
and passed. Mr. Cater made a motion in form of a resolution 
that the members pay their term fee immediately.” It is sup¬ 
posed that these funds were to pay, in part, for the new Hall. 

As late as March 23, 1861, “Mr. Cater made a motion in 
form of a resolution, that every member resolve to try to get 
as much money as possible, during vacation, for our Hall.” 

On May 29, 1863, it was proposed and carried, “that any 
member taking the cushions out of the chairs and laying them 
on the floor, be fined twenty-five cents.” Also, on that date, Mr. 
T. Whitaker moved “that we do not burn tallow candles in the 
chandeliers.” 


4 21 }> 


Chapter IV 


Names of Honorary Members of the Thalian Society 
of Oglethorpe University 
1859 - i 86.3 

Governor M. A. Perry, Tallahassee, Florida 
Honorable A. E. Maxwell, Pensacola, Florida 
Mr. E. Anderson, Pensacola, Florida 
E. S. Languerade, Sandersville, Georgia 
A. A. Cullens, M. D., Sandersville, Georgia 
Colonel Owen, Talbotton, Georgia 
Professor W. F. Slaton, Auburn, Alabama 
R. D. Spratt, Livingston, Alabama 
Honorable E. L. McIntyre 

and others (leaf torn) 

Mr. E. W. Goetchius 
John W. McNealy, Auburn, Alabama 
Mr. John Stubbs, Macon, Georgia 
E. C. Bulloch, Eufala, Alabama 
Mr. J. Clemens, Cumming, Georgia 
Mr. S. D. McConnell, Ocala, Florida 
Colonel J. C. Lewis, Columbus, Georgia 
Mr. Lane 

Professor J. LeConte, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

J. J. Gartrell, Atlanta, Georgia 

Dr. Joseph LeConte, Columbia, South Carolina 

C. LaFlore, Carthage, Mississippi 

Mr. Knox 

Mr. John B. Gallic, Savannah, Georgia 
Honorable W. P. Chilton, Montgomery, Alabama 
Mr. T. Yancey 
Colonel Henry Jones 


4 22 }§*• 


SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


Mr. Meek, Montgomery, Alabama 
Honorable Tom Judge, Montgomery, Alabama 
James P. McCan, Greensboro, Georgia 
Dr. Mann 

Mr. L. B. Smith, of Talbert 

Henry R. Tackson, Savannah, Georgia 

Mr. Moses 

Mr. A. W. Cumming 

Honorable O. Sosk 

Honorable A. F. Owen 

Mr. McFeeson (McPherson) 

Mr. Hugh R. Banks 

Mr. J. W. Castens, Columbus, Georgia 

Dr. D. J. Bothwell 

Mr. Armstrong, Macon, Georgia 

Mr. Stephen F. Miller 


Hgf 23 f> 


Chapter V 


Names of Regular Members of The Thalian Society of 
Oglethorpe University 
1859 through 1863 


Sidney C. Lanier 
S. D. Bradwell 
J. A. Weems 
H. C. Wiley 
J. B. L. Baker 
Bayne 
Cassells 
E. P. Cater 
A. J. Coney 
P. P. Pelham 
W. Pelham 
Ladson 

J. V. H. Ditmars 
A. F. Little 
S. Little 

G. E. Thomas 
Cunningham 
Samuel Knox 
Hall 

H. Johnson 

G. F. S. Johnson 
Law 

W. A. Way 
Samuel T. Dean 
C. Dunn 

R. W. Flournoy 
W. F. Fulton 


J. E. Fulton 
J. L. Patterson 
A. L. Peden 
J. B. Martin 
J. H. Martin 
Moore 
H. Millican 
Greer 
Hardeman 
Iverson 

J. W. Kendrick 
C. A. King 
J- King 
Norman 
T. S. Stacy 
T. J. Parsons 
Long 
Bayne 

J. E. O. Varnadoe 
C. C. Varnadoe 
J. S. Lewis 
A. R. Miller 
W. E. Yancey 
W. Pelham 
J. H. Martin 
J. B. Martin 
W. Martin 


Stewart 
E. A. Pressley 
J. Redd 
W. Redd 
Fleming 
H. M. Bryan 
N. Quarterman 
J. Quarterman 

R. Quarterman 

S. Quarterman 
C. A. Lanier 
J. Q. Spencer 

J. M. Goetchius 
E. Goetchius 
Dunn 

W. R. M. Slaughter 
Britton 

T. J. Parsons 
T. A. Parsons 
H. M. Bryan 
C. A. King 

J. H. King 
Kottman 

Charles Coleman 
Bacon 

Joseph Lane 
James G. Lane 


<{ 24 


SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


John Lane 
Gresham 
J. L. Nickinson 
James D. Myrick 
J. S. McDowell 
W. M. McDowell 
J. L. McKinnon 
Moses McKinnon 
G. C. Bivins 
S. Bivins 
Walker 

S. W. Bothwell 
James M. Whitaker 
Thomas Howell Whitaker 


H. Whitaker 
H. Bradford 
H. Castens 
Robert Hunter 
A. G. Napier 
Charles Henry Banks 
T. Banks 
C. E. Cook 
M. W. Colquit 
W. G. Armstrong 
J. D. Stetson 
J. H. Grieve 
H. H. Colclough 
Moore 


<4 25 f> 


Chapter VI 


PRESIDENTS OF THE THALIAN SOCIETY 
1853 -1864 

R. W. Flournoy 
W. R. M. Slaughter 

S. C. Lanier 
H. Millican 

T. Hardeman 

J. V. H. Ditmars 
E. P. Cater 
J. Samuel McDowell 
J. G. Lane 
Charles H. Banks 

S. W. Bothwell 

T. H. Whitaker 


26 }> 


Chapter VII 


THE LIBRARY OF THE THALIAN SOCIETY 

At the opening of Oglethorpe University, January 1838, with 
three classes, Dr. James Stacy says there were three hundred 
volumes in the library. 

In addition to the University library, both the Thalian and 
Phi Delta Societies had libraries. According to the Minutes of 
the Thalian Society, the upbuilding of the library and the use 
of it, were great and constant objects. 

The Honorary Members presented books, friends of the So¬ 
ciety presented books, and the regular members were continually 
presenting books to the Society. Mr. Pelham gave the complete 
works of Hume’s History of England, and Gibbons’ History of 
Rome, naming twelve students as the donors. 

In the Minutes of October 6, i860, “Mr. Cater, Iverson, 
J. H. Martin, Coleman and Dean presented some books to 
Thalia which were received and thanks returned to the gentle¬ 
men.” One of these books exists today and has been placed in 
the Sidney Lanier Room of Thalian Hall. 

On October 13, i860, “A valuable Atlas was presented to 
the Society and received, and thanks were returned to the gen¬ 
tlemen. The names of the gentlemen are the following: Coleman, 
Fulton, Lanier, Dean, Kottman, Iverson, Way, Goetchius, Ba¬ 
ker, Pelham, Patterson, Stacy, Bacon, Bryan.” 

The Treasurer was often ordered to pay money for books 
and once “to buy as many books as the state of the treasury will 
allow.” 

As late as March 6, 1863, a committee was ordered to go to 
Macon and buy books for the library. 

Gifts of books to the library, and purchases of books by the 
Society, are mentioned in the Minutes twenty-three times. 


4 27 


Chapter VIII 


SUBJECTS OF DEBATES IN THE THALIAN 
SOCIETY 
1859 through 1863 

Not all the subjects of debate will be enumerated, but enough 
to show that the mental activities of the members of the So¬ 
ciety were vigorously manifest at all times. 

Oglethorpe University was only two miles distant from 
Milledgeville, the Capital of the State, the center of both in¬ 
tellectual and political activities. 

The press of Milledgeville was the ablest in the State, and 
to this day, the files of the old Southern Recorder and The Fed¬ 
eral Union and The Journal are constantly consulted and quoted, 
when the history of the past is concerned. 

Never in the history of the State, had the Legislature of Geor¬ 
gia been more actively concerned with the State’s welfare, than 
during these four years, when statesmen like Alexander H. 
Stephens and Benjamin Harvey Hill and Herschel V. Johnson 
and Robert Toombs and T. R. R. Cobb were invited to speak 
before it. 

All Georgia that was not listening, was eagerly awaiting the 
echoes of these speeches. 

Milledgeville of those days, is described by some as a sleepy 
little Southern town. Its external appearance will not here be 
viewed through partial eyes, but through the eyes of an enemy 
officer, only a year and a half after Oglethorpe University, hav¬ 
ing given her all for the Confederacy, had closed her doors at 
Midway, forever. 

The letter of Maj. James A. Conally, as published by The 
Illinois Historical Society for the Year 1928, says: on Nov. 23, 
1864, “Here I am finally at Milledgeville. My boyish dream is 


SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


gratified and I find that my boyish fancy in regard to the ap¬ 
pearance of the city was quite correct. The dwellings are scat¬ 
tered and surrounded by large and tastefully decorated grounds. 
As one rides along its sandy streets, even this time of the year, 
the faint perfume from every variety of tree and shrub, bud, 
blossom and flower fills the air with delicious fragrance. The 
exterior of the residences bespeaks refinement within and every¬ 
thing in the city seems to impress one with the idea that he is 
in an old aristocratic city where the worth of a man is com¬ 
puted in dollars and cents. The streets are regularly laid out 
and the capitol stands on a slight elevation rather east of the 
center of the city overlooking the Oconee river.” 

Some of the most dramatic events in the history of the State 
were occurring during these four years, and Oglethorpe students 
were in the swift current, as is evident by the topics chosen for 
debate. 

Oglethorpe University itself, was thoroughly abreast of the 
times, with a leader like Dr. S. K. Talmadge, and Professors like 
James Woodrow, and Charles W. Lane, and R. C. Smith, of 
the present, and Dr. Joseph LeConte and Professor J. W. Ba¬ 
ker, of the immediate past. 

In the Minutes, is this record: “Thalian Hall, January I9> 
1861. At a call meeting the Society assembled and was called 
to order by the President. A motion was made and carried that 
we suspend the regular exercises, to attend the Convention in 
town. Nothing more being before the Society, it adjourned.” 

E. P. Cater, President 

J. S. Spencer, Recording Secretary. 

That means that the Thalian Society Members were in Mil- 
ledgeville at the Signing of the Ordinance of Secession, on that 
fateful day, when crowds had come to Milledgeville, awaiting 
the action of the Convention. 

Some one has said of the Ordinance of Secession, that it 
could not be stopped, that one could as well tie up the North 
Wind in the corner of a pocket handkerchief.” 


4 29 }> 


SIDNEY LANIER 


These students witnessed the raising of the Colonial flag over 
the old State house. They heard the bells ring and the cannon 
roar and saw the preparations that were being made for the 
great torch-light procession that night, when Union men like 
Hershel V. Johnson and Judge Garnett Andrews darkened their 
rooms and paced the floor in anguish, while a daughter and two 
sons of the latter, made and raised a Colonial flag and quickly 
joined the merrymakers. 

One wonders if the University boys and their tutor, could keep 
away from all the serenades and the speech-making and the 
brilliantly illuminated old Mansion and other homes, and the 
great torch-light procession, especially after the statement of 
Lincoln Lorenz, who, in The Life of Sidney Lanier, says, that La¬ 
nier and his friends “made such a favorable impression upon the 
president of the college, Dr. Samuel Talmadge that the serena¬ 
des received official warrant to practice their art among the 
towns’ people.” 

In an old issue of The Southern Recorder, is a fascinating bit 
of gossip, recorded of those days when great statesmen were 
invited to speak before the Legislature. Alexander Stephens 
spoke on the evening of November 14, i860, and Benjamin 
Harvey Hill followed on the evening of the fifteenth, and by 
the way, this masterful speech of Hill is the only one of his on 
Secession, that has been preserved in its entirety. 

The boys from Oglethorpe, came into town to hear Benjamin 
H. Hill, with Dr. Samuel K. Talmadge, the President, and Pro¬ 
fessor Charles Lane. Both of them had cautioned the students 
against making any demonstration whatsoever. Dr. Talmadge 
had a way of rubbing his hands together, when he was specially 
pleased, and Professor Lane, in expressing his. approbation, would 
nod his head. The boys declared that Dr. Talmadge rubbed the 
skin off his hands, and that Professor Lane had a stiff neck for 
two weeks afterwards. 

No one who reads the Minutes, can say that the Oglethorpe 
students were unacquainted with the great problems of the day, 
nor, also, with the classical authors of the past, when they view 


4 30 )> 


AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


a big, well-marked volume of Greek authors, which was a regular 
text book in the Freshman class. This volume has pasted on the 
top inside stiff cover, a picture of old Oglethorpe University, cut 
supposedly, from a letterhead, and on it, is the name of the stu¬ 
dent. Some Questions of Debate, have been given already. Others 
are now named, in order to show that social, philosophical, his¬ 
torical and literary questions were well considered; and especially 
subjects “due to the anomalous circumstances of the times,” as 
the Secretary recorded. These are: 

Have naturalized foreigners a right to claim protection from 
the United States when compelled to do military service in their 
own country? 

Will the re-organization of Franklin College be beneficial to 
it? 

Is a monarchy the strongest and most stable form of govern¬ 
ment? 

Should foreign emigration be stopped? 

Was Oliver Cromwell a true patriot? 

Should our Legislature refuse a separate amount of public 
funds to the Catholics for educational purposes? 

Ought the colonization of the African race to be encouraged? 

Was the Mexican War justified? 

Ought the press to be without legal restriction? 

Has a State the right to secede from the Union? 

Would the formation of a Southern Confederacy enhance the 
commercial prosperity of the South? 

Should the South endorse the action of the seceders at Char¬ 
leston ? 

Which has done the greater service to truth, philosophy or 
poetry? 

Is the progress of the South in literature and fine arts impeded 
by her institutions of slavery? 

Are mixed schools productive of more good than evil? 

Ought the Bible to be adopted in the common schools as an 
ordinary reading book? 

Was the banishment of Napoleon to St. Helena justifiable? 


4 31 


SIDNEY LANIER 


Are early marriages conducive to the advancement of society? 

Ought Mormonism to be abolished “vi et armis?” 

Is our Government more indebted to her warriors than to her 
statesmen ? 

Did General William Walker deserve the fate he received 
from the Hondurians? 

Do the signs of the times justify us in the belief that our Re¬ 
public will meet with the same fate as Greece and Rome? 

Have judicial oaths the sanction of the Bible? 

Is the art of speech more profitable than writing? 

Should Cuba be acquired “vi et armis?” 

Would England be benefitted by making her government a 
strictly Republican one? 

Does the existing state of affairs in this country prove that 
man is incapable of self government? 

Is fanaticism a more prominent characteristic of Cromwell 
than enlightened piety? 

Ought the protective policy or free trade principles prevail? 

Has any government or Union of States the right of coercing 
a seceding member ? 

Has the advancement of the Southern States in power and 
wealth been retarded by the institution of slavery? 

Ought representatives to be bound by the will of their con¬ 
stituents? 

Was the course pursued by General Twiggs a proper one? 

Is capital punishment justifiable? 

Is there any greater prospect of peace than there was twelve 
months ago? 

Are Southerners more justifiable for resistance than their 
forefathers? 

Was Napoleon greater in the field or in the Cabinet? 

Which is the greatest orator Demosthenes or Cicero? 

Which is entitled to the most praise Washington or Lafayette? 

Is Warren more to be admired than Moultrie? 

Is Madison more deserving of our estimation than Hamilton? 


4 32 }?* 


AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


Was it justifiable for Governor Brown to call out the militia 
officers? 

Has intemperance done more harm than war? 

Were the Puritians justifiable in their treatment of the In¬ 
dians? 

Was the execution of Major Andre justifiable? 

Was Brutus justifiable in taking part with the conspirators 
against Julius Caesar? 

Were the Crusades beneficial? 

Was the execution of Charles I justifiable? 

Was Napoleon justifiable in divorcing Josephine? 

Is the Government of the Confederate States likely to be 
perpetuated? 

Was the death of General Jackson more lamented than that 
of Albert S. Johnson? 


Chapter IX 


SIX ELECT LADIES MENTIONED IN THE 
MINUTES 

It is pleasing to know that the women of the State were in¬ 
terested in the University and its Societies. 

Miss Laura Tucker presented to the Thalian Society, “the 
tooth of a sea reptile,” and thanks were returned to her. 

“Mrs. Sarah C. Crowell, through Mr. J. Goetchius, presented 
a shell to the Society, which was received and the thanks of the 
Society, were returned to the Lady.” 

Miss Dollie Whitaker presented a book to the Society, and 
received thanks from the recording secretary. 

Mrs. S. Whitaker presented on January 7, i860, two books 
to the Society, during Lanier’s presidency. 

“Some pictures were presented to the Society, by Mrs. B. A. 
Socsby, of Columbus, Georgia,” and Messrs. King, Greer and 
Lanier were the committee named to have them framed. 

“A picture was presented in the name of Mrs. Golden, which 
was received and thanks returned to the Lady.” 


<{ 34 


Chapter X 


TWO TUTORS AND TWO PROFESSORS 

In the Minutes, is a thread of gold that binds two Tutors and 
two Professors to the Thalian Society. 

The story of Sidney Lanier has been given. Mr. S. L. Knox 
who graduated with the Class of 1859, preceded Lanier as tutor 
at the University. Mr. Knox is first mentioned in the Minutes, 
when he reported that he had obtained during the summer va¬ 
cation, from Honorary Members, fifteen dollars for the building 
fund of Thalian Hall. His name was mentioned when the So¬ 
ciety was bestowing the six hundred copies of Colonel Hooks’ 
address, which it had published. There were given, “two hundred 
copies to the Phi Delta, ten copies to Professor Woodrow, five 
to each of the other Professors, except Mr. Knox, who has ten.” 

On January 1, i860, “During the debate, it was moved and 
carried that Mr. Knox be allowed to finish his speech.” 

On January 4, i860, “It was moved that Mr. Knox’s name be 
placed on the roll of the Society and that he be allowed to 
participate in the business of the Society with all the privileges 
of honorary members.” 

It was Mr. Knox who made the motion to inform the Phi 
Delta Society that the Thalian Society would stand up to its 
agreement about building the new Halls. 

William Hayes Ward, in his Memorial, in the poems of Sidney 
Lanier, says, “During the last weeks of his life, Mr. Lanier 
stated that he owed to Professor Woodrow the strongest and 
most valuable stimulus of his youth.” 

When Lanier was President of the Thalian Society, “A book 
was presented to the Society by Dr. James Woodrow and thanks 
were returned to the Gentleman.” His name is in the list of Pro¬ 
fessors who are to be given copies of Colonel Hooks’ address. 


4 35 


SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


Two hundred copies were to be tendered to the Phi Delta So¬ 
ciety and “ten copies to Professor Woodrow.” Also, Professor 
Woodrow’s name is in the list of those who were to have ten 
catalogues of the Society. 

In the enumeration in the Minutes, Professor Lane was to 
have ten copies of Colonel Hooks’ address. 

On November 9, 1859, one reads, “After discussion, the So¬ 
ciety tendered the floor to our honorary member, Mr. Lane, 
who made a few remarks complimentary to the Society.” 

When Sidney Lanier was President, “A Catalogue of Books 
was then presented to the Society by Reverend C. W. Lane, 
through Mr. W. R. M. Slaughter.” 

Dr. Edwin Mimms, in his Sidney Lanier, repeats a story about 
Dr. Charles W. Lane, Professor of Mathematics, at Oglethorpe 
University, saying, that he was “the sunniest, sweetest Calvinist 
that ever nestled close to the heart of Arminians and all else 
who loved the Master’s image w T hen they saw it. His cottage at 
Midway was a Bethel; it was God’s house and heaven’s gate.” 


4 36 }> 


SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


PART II 




Chapter I 


DISCOVERY OF THE OLD CORNER STONE 

In 1921, some workmen who were making an excavation at 
Dr. Allen’s Invalid Home, which is the site of Oglethorpe Uni¬ 
versity, discovered the old corner stone deep down in the earth. 

It was of solid granite, wide and thick, with a rectangular 
place cut out in it for the heavy tin box which contained relics 
and memorials of the day, March 31, 1837, when it was laid 
with Masonic honors. 

The top of the corner stone was of equal size and thickness 
as the bottom and was fastened to it with long and large iron 
spikes. The top was broken and water seeping through the crev¬ 
ices, had caused the tin box to rust and then to leak, and the 
contents became much damaged thereby. Of course, great excite¬ 
ment prevailed at the opening of the box. It was found to con¬ 
tain: the Southern Recorder, March 28, 1837, edited by Grieve 
and Orrne, the Georgia Journal, March 28, 1837, edited by 
William S. Rockwell, the Federal Union, March 28, 1837, edited 
by John A. Cuthbert, the Standard of Union, March 21, 1837, 
edited by P. L. Robinson, a piece of paper on which the ink used 
for writing, had faded so entirely, that not one word could be 
deciphered, a drawing on sheepskin of General Oglethorpe’s pic¬ 
ture, a silver quarter, and a silver half-dime. 

The sheepskin had decayed, and the newspapers were damp 
and muddy, two of them being almost illegible. 

One of the newspapers, the Federal Union, was presented to 
Dr. Thornwell Jacobs, President of Oglethorpe University, At¬ 
lanta, Georgia. Another, the Southern Recorder, was framed, 
so that both sides could be read, and was hung in the Sidney 
Lanier room in Thalian Hall. 


4 39 }> 


SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


Dr. and Mrs. Allen took pleasure in possessing the corner 
stone, and when the new building for convalescent men was 
erected, it had its place in it until the Daughters of the American 
Revolution asked for it, for their Memorial on the site of the 
main building of the old University. 


•gf 40 


Chapter II 


THREE MEMORIALS 

As has been stated, the site of Oglethorpe University is now 
known as Allen’s Invalid home. Dr. EL D. Allen was the founder, 
and both he and his wife, who was Miss Sarah Cantey Whitaker, 
have given of themselves largely to their town and county and 
state. 

Dr. Allen’s death occurred March, 1930. On October 27, 
1930, The Robert E. Lee Chapter, United Daughters of the 
Confederacy, Mrs. R. B. Moore, President, after presenting 
a Lanier program, unveiled, on the door of the Sidney Lanier 
room in Thalian Hall, a tablet bearing the following inscrip¬ 
tion : 


Sidney Lanier Room 
tablet placed in memory of 
Dr. Henry Dawson Allen 
October 27, 1930. 

With a change of one word only, one could use in describing 
that occasion, Frank Branan’s poem, Lanier’s Flute (on Dedi¬ 
cating a Monument) : 

These hills that echoed to his lyric flute 
And cheered its master while he lingered here 
Stand now like silent sentinels and mute 
IVhat time we tell this tribute to Lanier. 

Across the mountain steeps the sunset’s glow 
Illumines paths his eager feet once trod. 

Ring out O Heaven’s vespers! For I know 
His flute still echoes in the hills of God. 


4 41 ) 3 » 



First Row, Rosalind Davis, Millie Stewart, Sarah Stewart; Second Row, Ben Stewart, Jr., Mary 
Owens Sallee, Crowell Stewart, Gladys Stewart, Donald Stewart, Bonny Hendrix, Anne Orme 
Sallee, Sibley Jennings; Third Row, Harry Stewart and Betty Stewart. 









SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


On March 31, 1831, on the ninety-fourth anniversary of the 
laying of the corner stone of Oglethorpe University, the State 
Historian, Georgia Daughters of the American Revolution, pre¬ 
sented a Memorial marking the site of Oglethorpe University, 
in honor of Mrs. H. D. Allen. The address of the day was made 
by Honorable Victor Davidson, Georgia State Historian, Sons 
of the American Revolution, and Dr. Edwin Allen accepted the 
marker for the family. 

Just as rain poured at the laying of the corner stone on March 
31, 1837, when Judge Joseph H. Lumpkin was to make the 
address, and the crowd had to ride two miles to the Presbyterian 
church in Milledgeville to hear it, so on this fateful day, exactly 
ninety-four years later, did the rain pour, and all the children 
with their flags and pretty costumes, every one of them a descen¬ 
dant of an old Oglethorpe University student, had to take refuge 
along with the crowd, in nearby Thalian Hall. When the time 
came for the children to unveil the Marker, the strings had to be 
drawn from the veranda, as no one could brave the elements to 
go nearer. 

The picture was made when the first sunshine came after that 
momentous day. 

The Memorial was designed by Mrs. Catherine Beeson 
Wright, who took for the basic idea of her drawing, the big 
old corner stone itself, with the long iron spikes which originally 
held on the top portion, still in place. 

All the stones used in the Marker were foundation stones of 
the old University. 

The bronze tablet covers the square niche in which the original 
tin box rested. A new copper box was made, and in it, before it 
was sealed, along with two of the original old muddy, unreadable 
newspapers, of 1837, the Standard of Union and the Georgia 
Journal, were placed: the Milledgeville newspapers of the day, 
Mrs, S. A. Cook’s History of Baldwin County, a list of D. A. R. 
members, and a program of the day. The programs contained 
the names of all the donors for the marker. With four exceptions 


4 43 fa 



The Oglethorpe Rock Garden and Pool 









SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 

every one of them was a descendant of some one of those old- 
time Oglethorpe University students, 

A portion of a charming letter is here published from one of 
the students himself, Mr. J. A. Weems of Union Springs, Ala¬ 
bama. Since that time, Mr. Weems’ death occurred in 1934. 

The letter was dated March 27, 1931, and was addressed to 
the author. 

After a pleasant greeting, Mr. Weems said: “Now for a 
little ancient history. You say in your letter, that you are asking 
the relations of Oglethorpe students for a donation for the 
marker. I am not a relative (and yet I am, as two brothers were 
students of Oglethorpe), but one of the student body, because 
as a fifteen year old boy, I entered Oglethorpe in the fall of 
1858, Freshman class. “At the same time Sid Lanier re-entered 
the college (having lapsed one year, graduating the next year 
with first honors.) He was my roommate until appointed tutor, 
too dignified to room with a Soph. He moved over to the hotel 
in Midway that fall—his brother Cliff took his place in the 
dormitory with me until the college closed in 1861. 

“Early in 1861 when the war clouds were gathering, and the 
thunder of the guns at Fort Sumter was reverberating over the 
South, the older students (seniors mostly) began leaving to go 
to the front. 

“The faculty, Dr. S. K. Talmadge, president; R. C. Smith, 
language; James Lane, mathematics; James Woodrow, chemis¬ 
try, decided in lieu of commencement exercises, to only hold 
examinations, in order that the boys could rise in their classes 
(we expected to be back in three months, for the fall term— 
haven’t got back yet). 

“Professor Woodrow married my first cousin, Felixina Baker. 
He was uncle to President Wilson, the greatest President of the 
United States, bar none. 

“Your letter takes me back to pleasant days at old Oglethorpe. 
I boarded with Mrs. Harper Tucker (meals only). Many of 
the boys boarded with Mrs. Tufts. 

“I was initiated into the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Society, 1859, 


•€{ 45 


SIDNEY LANIER 


and am now the oldest member living of the fraternity. Sid and 
Cliff Lanier were also members and with the exception of us 
three, the whole chapter was wiped out during the war. 

“When I started this letter I did not intend to inflict you with 
all this rigamarole, but old memories and my pencil (I can not 
use a pen) run away with me. 

“In May, 1861, I enlisted in the Old Columbus Guards, which 
was Company G, Second Georgia Infantry, Col. Paul J. 
Semmes, commanding. “Went through the whole war from first 
battle of Manassas to Appomattox, and through the days of 
reconstruction (or rather destruction), was a Clansman. So you 
see I took in the whole show, and all of the side shows.” 



{/Li 


Another letter in which the author took great pride was from 
the Stated Clerk of the Augusta Presbytery. It follows : 

Eatonton, Georgia, 

May 7, 1931. 

Mrs. J. L. Beeson, 

Milledgeville, Georgia. 

My dear Mrs. Beeson : 

At the recent spring meeting of Augusta Presbytery, I 
was requested to forward to you the following resolution: 

“The Presbytery of Augusta, has observed with great 
satisfaction the recent action of the Georgia D. A. R., in 
the erection of the beautiful and appropriate marker on the 
historic ground of the old Oglethorpe University. We 
therefore express our deep gratification, for this beautiful 
and timely service, to the Georgia D. A. R. in general, and 
to Mrs. J. L. Beeson, in particular, for her splendid efforts 
in securing this noble accomplishment.” 



Stated Clerk. 


46 }> 


AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


Of the joy of that day only the memory remains, but the 
memory of it is like some faint fragrance that pervades the air. 

In the report of the State Historian, Georgia D. A. R., for the 
year 1932, is the story concerning the Oglethorpe Memorial Gar¬ 
den which came as the aftermath of the Marker commemorating 
the site of the University. It reads: “The site of the marker with 
historic Thalian Hall still standing, was beautiful from the first, 
but Mrs. H. D. Allen conceived the idea of a Memorial garden as 
a background for the marker. She was aided in her plan by Mrs. 
Harry Stewart, of Macon, Georgia. It is she who has the honor 
of evolving from the small and great foundation stones of old 
Oglethorpe University w r hich could not be used in the marker 
itself, a large rock garden with its waterfall, its pool, and its 
myriad plants and flowers. Mr. J. Yarbrough lent his skill to 
Mrs. Stewart’s plans. 

“The electric light cable was placed underground, plantings of 
large and beautiful shrubs were made, and one would think to 
see it, that some one there possessed Aladdin’s lamp, and had 
given it a vigorous rub. So add to the Oglethorpe Marker, the 
Oglethorpe Memorial Garden, which honors not only Sidney 
Lanier, Georgia’s greatest poet, but also seventy-two Presby¬ 
terian Ministers and three hundred and seventeen men who 
graduated here.” 


<i 47 }> 



Sidney Lanier’s Room in Thalian Hall 
















Chapter III 


Two interesting old manuscript maps of Oglethorpe Univer¬ 
sity grounds, and Midway, are in the possession of Mrs. H. D. 
Allen, Sr., the present owner of the university site. 

The smaller one, is sixteen by twenty-five inches, and was made 
with especial reference to the Talmadge property, which totaled 
46.1 acres, more or less. It bears, on the outside this inscription: 
“From a map of Midway, Baldwin County, Georgia, made by 
Mr. Fay upon surveys made by J. C. Whitaker and R. H. Ram¬ 
sey.” 

“This outline of the Talmadge lands, is a copy from a copy 
of the above map made March, 1865, with special reference to 
the lands of Rev. Dr. S. K. Talmadge by C. W. Lane.” 

The statement is made also, that the four deeds to these lands, 
are duly recorded in Milledgeville, and the numbers of the books 
are given in which the records may be. found; “B. P. Stubbs, 
being then the Clerk of Inferior Court, Baldwin County.” 

This map bears further information: “Deeds deposited by C. 
W. Lane, in the Burglar and Fire-Proof Safe of the National 
Bank of Athens, Georgia, box 41, where they now are. 

C. W. Lane.” 

The map published in this volume is reduced in size, from a 
big map twenty-three by thirty-four inches, on the outside of 
which is written: “Campus—Survey of Midway, Georgia. 

Mrs. S. K. Talmadge.” 

Inside, is this : “This map is the property of Mrs. R. W. Tal¬ 
madge. 

C. W. Lane.” 

Also written on the inside: “Copy of Midway, Georgia (in¬ 
part). Survey made by J. C. Whitaker and R. H. Ramsey. 

Original plot made by Mr. Fay based upon said drawing and 


*C{ 49 }&* 



Manuscript map of the campus of Oglethorpe University and part of the Midway Community. 











































SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


the plot and survey made in laying off the village, made with 
special reference to lands of Dr. S. K. Talmadge, March 1865, by 
C. W. Lane.” 

“Scale of 4 chains to the inch.” 

The lands of the following, are shown on the map: 

Grantland, Ramsey, Talmadge, Smith, College Campus, Mrs. 
H. Tucker, Hotel, S. Whitaker, C. W. Lane, Orme, Hammond, 
Academy, Cemetery, Col’rd. The “Col’rd.,” is the plat for the 
cemetery for the Negroes, which lies just beyond that for the 
whites. 


Chapter IV 


THE PHYSICAL DEATH OF OGLETHORPE 
UNIVERSITY 

Many, in describing the fate of the main building of Ogle¬ 
thorpe University, state that it was burned during the War Be¬ 
tween the States, but such is not the fact. The war did cause 
reverses from which the University could not recover, because 
the greater part of its assets were in Confederate notes and 
bonds. 

After the State Capital was moved to Atlanta, it was felt 
that the University could never be re-established at old Midway. 

The buildings* became dilapidated. A Milledgeville citizen 
remembers how they appeared when he was a boy. The windows 
of the main building had many panes missing, the doors stood 
wide open, and goats climbed even to the third story. The prop¬ 
erty was finally sold, and the granite steps of the main building 
are those that one now treads on entering the main building of 
the Milledgeville State Hospital. The bricks of the main Uni¬ 
versity building were incorporated in the high walls around build¬ 
ings of this same Institution. 

We of Milledgeville, are accustomed to say of the Old Peni¬ 
tentiary Square, which became the site of what was at first, The 
Georgia Normal and Industrial College, that the very dust itself, 
experienced a resurrection. 

We may say of the old University Building that it experienced 
a transmigration; that where it formerly ministered to the needs 
of student’s minds, its physical properties now minister to minds 
and bodies that need to be upbuilt. 

One has described the University’s passing in these words: 
“Thus scattered to the four winds of heaven, this institution, 
the growing pride of the Presbyterian Church, finishes her career 
in disintegration and ruin, and now lies levelled in the dust, 
her altars broken down, her fires gone out, and not a single 
vestige left, only her sons to tell of her former greatness and 
shed bitter tears over her manifold miseries.” 


4 52 


SIDNEY LANIER AT OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 


ADDENDUM 


After this book was in type, there was found in the Historical Museum of 
the Georgia State College for Women, at Milledgeville, Ga., a Catalogue 
of the Thalian Society at Oglethorpe University, which gives the names and 
addresses of the entire membership from 1839, the year of the Society’s 
organization, through the year 1858. The Minutes of Part I, begin in the 
year 1859. 

In the years 1857 and 1858, appear the names of Sidney Lanier and others, 
who figured largely in the Minutes. 

The Catalogue is here published in its entirety, thus completing the roll 
of the Thalian Society, from its organization to its end. Through the years 
of its existence, the Thalian Society could boast of three hundred and eighty- 
five members. 


“Oh, the little more, and how much it is! 
And the little less, and what woi'lds away!” 









CATALOGUE 

OF THE 

THALIAN LITERARY SOCIETY 

OF 

OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY, GEORGIA 


FROM ITS FORMATION—JANUARY, 1839, TO 
OCTOBER, 1858 


Published by Order of the Society 


Charleston, S. C. 

JAMES AND WILLIAMS, Printers 
16 State Street 
1858 







ADDENDUM 


FACULTY OF OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 

Near 

Milledgeville, Georgia 


Rev. S. K. Talmadge, D.D._President 

and Professor of Ancient Languages and Belles Letters. 

Rev. C. W. Lane, A.M_ South Carolina 

Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy. 

Rev. R. C. Smith, A.M_Alabama 


Professor of Moral and Mental Philosophy. 


James Woodrow, Ph.D_Georgia and Florida 

Professor of Chemistry, Natural Philosophy , Geology 
and Botany. 


W. L. Boggs, A.M. 


Rector of Academy 


4 56 







ADDENDUM 


THE THALIAN LITERARY SOCIETY 
WAS 

FOUNDED JANUARY, 1839. 


John Bilbo, Savannah, Ga. 

N. W. Battle, Monroe Co., Ga. 

James F. Bozeman, Columbus, Ga. 

T. G. Butler, Scottsboro, Ga. 

Philip Cook, Twiggs Co., Ga. 

W. W. B. Crawford, Lexington, Ga. 

E. T. Cullens, Scottsboro', Ga. 

J. R. Freeman, Lexington, Ga. 

W. L. Franks, Chatham Co., Ga. 
Nicholas C. Gatchet, Lumpkin, Ga. 

G. W. Hardwick, Columbia Co., Ga. 
T. E. Lloyd, Savannah, Ga. 

J. W. Owens, Savannah, Ga. 

John H. Rutherford, Houston Co., 
Ga. 

William J. Sasnett, Hancock Co., Ga. 
Charles A. Stillman, Charleston, S. C. 
William L. Warnham, Jones Co., Ga. 
A. S. Zachey, Jones Co., Ga. 

LIST OF REGULAR MEMBERS 

John Bilbo, Savannah, Ga., (1st H.) 

L. 

N. W. Battle, Monroe Co., Ga. 

James F. Bozeman, Columbus, Ga., 

M. D. 

T. G. Butler, Scottsboro, Ga. 

Philip Cook, Twiggs Co., Ga. 

W. B. B. Crawford, Lexington, Ga. 

F. T. Cullens, Scottsboro, Ga. 

W. G. Davies*, Milledgeville, Ga. 

J. R. Freeman, Lexington, Ga. 

W. L. Franks, Chatham Co., Ga., 
(1st H.) 

Nicholas C. Gadget, Lumpkin, Ga. 

G. W. Hardwick*, Columbia Co., 
Ga., (1st H.) 

T. E. Lloyd, Savannah, Ga. L. 

J. W. Owens, Savannah, Ga., L. 

T. H. Rutherford, Houston Co., Ga. 
Wm. J. Sasnett, Hancock Co., Ga., 
Prof, at Ox. 

Charles A. Stillman, Charleston, S. 

C., M. 

Wm. L. Warnham, Jones Co., Ga. 

A. S. Zachey, Jones Co., Ga. 

Total in 1839.19 


1840 

J. C. Bowen, Savannah, Ga. 

James R. Coombs, Tarversville, Ga. 

S. J. Foster, Georgia. 

A. W. Fort, Midway, Ga. 

D. H. B. Troup, Darien, Ga. 

Total in 1840. 5 

1841 

William Anderson, Montgomery, Ala. 
John S. Bond, Darien, Ga., M. D. 
Frank L. DeLauney, Milledgeville, 
Ga. 

J. C. Daniels, Georgia. 

Thomas J. Davis, Augusta, Ga. 

Tohn B. Davies, Baldwin Co., Ga. 
William Ivey, Russell Co., Ala. (1st 

H.) 

W. H. Jones, Burke Co., Ga. 

W. B. Jones, Burke Co., Ga. 

J. N. King, Macon, Ga. 

T. H. King, Macon, Ga. 

Geo. S. Owens, Savannah, Ga., (1st 
H.) L. 

H. P. Smith, Jones Co., Ga. 

John R. Tucker*, Midway, Ga. 
Total in 1841.14 

1842 

Troup Butler, Scottsboro, Ga. 

J. H. Cartledge, Madison Co., Ga., 
(1st H.) M. 

John B. Habersham, Savannah, Ga., 
(2nd H.) 

E. T. Park*, Milledgeville, Ga. 

P. A. Philips, Columbus, Ga. 

Francis Sorrell, Jr., Savannah, Ga. 
Charles E. Tefft*. Savannah, Ga. 

Total in 1842. 7 

1843 

Virgilius M. Barnes, Columbia, Co., 
Ga. (1st H.) 

Frederick Cullens, Scottsboro, Ga. 

A. W. Lewis*, Milledgeville, Ga. 
Malcolm McNeil, Milledgeville, Ga. 
Total in 1843. 4 


*Dead 1st H. 1st Honor. L. Lawyer. M. Minister. 








ADDENDUM 


1844 

Benjamin L. Beall, Lincoln Co., Ga., 
(1st H.) 

Joel C. Barnett, Putnam Co., Ga. 
Hines A. Goode, Montgomery, Ala. 

L. L. Varnadoe, Liberty Co., Ga. 
Thomas F. Wells, Sandersville, Ga., 
(1st H.) 

Total in 1844. 5 

1845 

J. T. Bivins, Jones Co., Ga. 

S. W. Baker, Scottsboro, Ga. 

Horace Carithers, Savannah, Ga. 

F'. Durham, Liberty Co., Ga. 

J. P. Durham, Liberty Co., Ga. 

E. H. Ezell, Georgia. 

John Huson, Milledgeville, Ga. 

Henry C. Hodges, Washington Co., 
Ga. 

W. J. Howell, Mount Zion, Ga. 

R. D. Hughes, Ireland. 

Total in 1845.10 

1846 

Donald Fraser, Liberty Co., Ga., (2nd 
H.) M. 

A. S. Hartridge, Savannah, Ga., (1st 
H.) L. 

George W. Jordan, Sandersville, Ga. 

B. G. Jordan, Sandersville, Ga. 

B. G. Jordan, Pulaski Co., Ga. 

A. P. Longstreet, Augusta, Ga. 

J. A. McGruder, Burke Co., Ga. 
Robert W. Milner, Wilkes Co., Ga., 

(2nd H.) M. 

E. J. Paine, Savannah, Ga. 

Henry J. Potter, Randolph Co., Ga. 
Jos. M. Quarterman, Liberty Co., 
Ga., (1st H.) M. 

S. Quarterman, Liberty Co., Ga. 
Charles C. Rice, Milledgeville, Ga. 

G. Stiles, Savannah, Ga. 

S. Stiles, Savannah, Ga. 

R. L. Storey, Milledgeville, Ga. 
Henry Shellman, Montgomery, Ala. 
Samuel B. Spencer, Liberty Co., Ga.,* 
L. 

W. O. Shivers, Rock Mills, Ga. 

G. A. Sneed, Georgia. 

James W. Todd, Georgia. 

N. P. J. Taylor, Savannah, Ga. 
Thomas Triplett, Jefferson Co., Fla. 

J. W. Wimberly, Tarversville, Ga. 


Clinton Wright, Monroe Co., Ark., 
1st H.) 

E. A. Wimberly, Tarversville, Ga. 
Wm. D. Whitehead, Dublin, Ga. 
Thos. F. Williams, Montgomery, 
Ala. 

A. P. Williams, Milledgeville, Ga. 

Total in 1846.29 

1847 

T. J. Anderson, Montgomery, Ala. 
James S. Bivins*, Macon, Ga. 

B. F. Carter*, Scottsboro, Ga. 
Samuel Carter, Scottsboro, Ga. 

A. W. Cassels, Savannah, Ga. 

Horace Carpenter, Georgia. 

G. R. Foster, Montgomery, Ala., 
(2nd H.) 

R. E. McGunty, Warren Co., Ga. 
James Stacy, Liberty Co., Ga., (1st 
H.) M. 

Wm. M. Tucker, Midway, Ga. 

John R. Tucker, Washington, Co., 
Ga. 

Samuel G. White, Milledgeville, Ga., 
M. D. 

Total in 1847.12 

1848 

E. L. Anderson, Bibb Co., Ga. 
George B. Beecher, Milledgeville, Ga. 
Charles Hartridge, Scottsboro, Ga. 

R. A. Houston, Oglethorpe, Ga., (1st 

H.) 

Thos. D. Harrison, Glynn Co., Ga. 
Lewis H. Kenan, Milledgeville, Ga., 
L. 

H. Clay King, Glynn Co., Ga., (2nd 
H.) 

B. B. McCraw, Abeufoil, Ala. 

John McLeod, Alabama. 

W. M. Prescott*, Washington, La. 

T. Q. Tucker, Laurens Co., Ga. 

Total in 1848.11 

1849 

James H. Bivins, Culloden, Ga. 
Thomas W. Cobb, Eatonton, Ga. 

S. A. Calhoun, Macon, Ga. 

J. B. Goode, Montgomery, Ala. 

J. A. Hill, Perry Co., Ga. 

C. T. Pictou, New Orleans, La. 
Lucius A. Simonton, Crawford Co., 

Ga., M. 


Dead 1st H. 1st Honor. L. Lawyer. 


M. Minister. 








ADDENDUM 


W. B. Scott, Vineville, Ga. 

John M. Tucker, Midway, Ga. 

J. L. Warren, Perry Co., Ga., M. 
John H. Walker, Putnam Co., Ga. 
Total in 1849...11 

1850 

E. Ashley, Telfair Co., Ga. 

J. Ashley, Telfair Co., Ga. 

Tully Choice, Texas. 

John Cassels, Savannah, Ga. 

S. J. Cassels, Savannah, Ga. 

Charles J. Harris, Baldwin Co., Ga., 

L. P. McCutchen*, Griffin, Ga. 

J. W. Tillman*, Edgefield C. H., 
S. C. 

W. J. Way, Liberty Co., Ga. 

Total in 1850.. 9 

1851 

Rufus Allen, Houston Co., Ga. 
George W. Allen, Houston Co., Ga. 
James W. Bones, Augusta, Ga., (1st 
H.) 

William K. Blake, Abbeville, D. S. 

C., L. 

J. E. Baker, Liberty Co., Ga. 

William H. Baker, Liberty Co., Ga. 
W. W. Cochran, Abbeville, D. S. C. 

B. L. Cochran, Abbeville, D. S. C. 

G. A. Cole, Macon, Ga. 

J. L. Cumming, Columbus, Ga. 

R. L. Gamble, Louisville, Ga. 

J. S. Gamble, Wilcox Co., Ala., (1st 

H.) 

Samuel Hunter, Monterey, S. C. 

R. A. Jones, Demopolis, Ala. 

M. D. Kennedy, Pickens Dis., S. C. 

T. L. Langston, Augusta, Ga. 

A. R. Liddell, Gwinnette Co., Ga., 
M. 

John J. Maxwell, Tallahassee, Fla. 

J. B. Newell, Milledgeville, Ga. 

Walter H. Paine, Milledgeville, Ga. 
Eugene M. Sanford, Milledgeville, 
Ga. 

Thomas L. Taylor, Hawkinsville, Ga. 
M. H. Whitaker, Midway, Ga. 

Peter G. Williams, Milledgeville, Ga. 
Levi Wilcoxon, Hancock Co., Ga., L. 
Total in 1851.25 

1852 

Robert S. Bryan, Bellevue, Ga. 


William T. Bryan*, Bellevue, Ga. 
Thos. J. Davidson, Gainesville, Ala., 

I. L. Ellington, Washington, Ga. 

C. W. Edgeworth, Houston Co., Ga. 
William Hall, Talladega, Ala. (1st 

H.) M. 

R. T. Kennedy, Pleasant Hill, Ala. 

O. Parker, Clairborne, Ala. 

William A. Parker, Clairborne, Ala. 

Total in L852.... 9 

1853 

S. E. Axon, Savannah, Ga., M. 

D. C. Boggs, Pickens Dis., S. C., M. 
W. L. Boggs, Pickens Dis., S. C., 

(1st H.) 

S. R. Cunning, Columbus, Ga. 

T. Q. Cassells*, Liberty Co., Ga. 
Elbert Calhoun*, Macon, Ga. 

H. K. Daniels, Americus, Ga. 

W. T. M. Dickson, Lafayette, Ala., 
(1st H.) 

N. B. Drake, Oglethorpe Co., Ala. 
John Ferguson, Newberry Dis., S. C., 
(1st H.) 

A. F. Hill, Houston Co., Ga. 

W. J. Keith, Griffin, Ga. 

C. L. Minniece, Gainesville, Ala. 

A. T. Matthews*, Woodstock, Ga. 

E. J. Meadows, Chambers Co., Ala. 
A. W. Millican, Chattooga, Co., Ga. 
James M. Oliver, Montgomery, Ala. 

C. E. Powell, Murray Co., Ga. 

J. C. Patterson*, Gwinnette Co., Ga. 

T. E. Smith, Chattooga Co., Ga. 
James W. Stacey*, Liberty Co., Ga. 
M. M. Slaughter, Dadeville, Ala., Ed. 
W. S. Smith, Roswell, Ga. 

George S. Thomas, Columbus, Ga., 

L. 

John L. Underwood, Sumterville, Ala. 
Total in 1853.25 

1854 

James H. Bryan, Bellevue, Ga. 

George A. Bivins, Bibb Co., Ga. 
George T. Bivins, Bibb Co., Ga. 

John G. Calhoun, Muscogee Co., Ga. 

D. Fulton, Sumterville, Ala. 

Benjamin T. Hunter, Monterey, S. C. 
John B. McDowell, Bellevue, Ga. 
John F. Stinson, Sulphur Springs, 

Ga. 


♦Dead 1st H. 1st Honor. L. Lawyer. M. Minister. 

59 }> 








ADDENDUM 


George A. Wiggins, Baldwin Co., 
Ga. 

Robert L. Wiggins, Baldwin Co., Ga. 
Total in 1854.10 

1855 

Robert Q. Baker, Liberty Co., Ga., 
(2nd H.) 

Geo. A. Buchanan, Bellevue, Ga. 

R. H. W. Buchanan, Bellevue, Ga. 
James T. Bivins, Bibb Co., Ga. 
Charles T. Bayne, Baldwin Co., Ga. 
Samuel J. Cassels, Liberty Co., Ga. 
James S. Cozby, Liberty Co., Ga. 
Wm. H. Daniel, Woodstock, Ga. 
Wm. T. Daniel, Woodstock, Ga. 
Virling E. Iverson*, Columbus, Ga. 
John H. Kyle, Columbus, Ga. 

David Kendall, Upson Co., Ga. 

John G. Lane, Midway, Ga. 

Geo. W. Ladson, Roswell, Ga. 

Henry E. Martin, Liberty Co., Ga. 
Wm. McPherson, Walton Co., Fla., 
L. 

J. J. Parker, Monroeville, Ala. 

Wm. G. Robson, Sandersville, Ga. 
Wiley W. Smith, LaGrange, Ga. 
Eugene G. Stewart, Columbus, Ga. 
James A. Shingler, Columbus, Ga. 

J. F. M. Tarver, Russell Co., Ga. 
John Webb, Savannah, Ga. 

H. Jemison Winn, Monroe Co., Ga. 
Total in 1855.24 

1856 

C. Augustus Baker, Liberty Co., Ga. 
Wm. H. Burroughs, Savannah, Ga. 
John C. Daniels, Americus, Ga. 

Robt. W. Flournoy, Sandersville, Ga. 
Edwin K. Fulton, Sumterville, Ala. 
John AL Goetchius, Columbus, Ga. 
George F. Johnson, Columbus, Ga. 
Frank S. Johnson, Clinton, Ga. 

A. Porteus Miller, Charleston, S. C. 

R. H. Marks, White S. Springs, Ga. 
John W. Nisbet, Macon, Ga. 

J. Cooper Nisbet, Macon, Ga. 

A. B. Parrott, Hancock Co., Ga. 
William Pelham, Alexandria, Ala. 
Total in 1856.14 

1857 

Donald J. Auld, Madison C. H., Fla. 

S. Dowse Bradwell, Liberty Co., Ga. 

*Dead 1st H. 1st Honor. L. Lawyer. 


E. A. Banks, Columbus, Ga. 

L. M. Cassels, Liberty Co., Ga. 

J. V. H. Ditmars, Pensacola, Fla. 
Joseph E. Fulton, Chatham Co., Ga. 
J. L. Greer, Chambers Co., Ala. 
John Hardeman, Clinton, Ga. 
Thomas Hardeman, Clinton, Ga. 
Joseph H. King, Roswell, Ga. 

Samuel L. Knox, Talladega, Co., Ga. 
J. W. Kendrick, Chunnenugge, Ala. 
James W. Law, Abbeville, Dis., S. C. 
Sidney C. Lanier, Macon, Ga. 

John Hill Lamar, Macon, Ga. 
Stinson H. Little, Putnam Co., Ga. 
Algernon F. Little, Putnam Co., Ga. 
Holcomb G. Moore, Greene Co., Ga. 
W. J. Martin, Liberty Co., Ga. 

James S. McBride, Sumter Dis., S. C. 
E. A. Presley, Chambers Co., Ala. 

N. P. Quarterman, Liberty Co., Ga. 

S. J. Quarterman, Liberty Co., Ga. 
John Redd, Columbus, Ga. 

William Redd, Columbus, Ga. 

Oscar Stewart, St. Mary’s, Ga. 

Wm. W. Spencer, Liberty Co., Ga. 

J. Q. Spencer, Liberty Co., Ga. 

W. R. Slaughter, Dadeville, Ala. 
Total in 1857.29 

1858 

Edwin P. Cater, Charleston, S. C. 
Thomas P. Hall, Talladega, Ala. 
Wm. L. LeConte, Macon, Ga. 

J. H. Martin, Bainbridge, Ga. 

O. Varnadoe, Liberty Co., Ga. 

Total in 1858. 5 

PRESENT MEMBERS 

C. A. Baker, Liberty Co., Ga. 

E. A. Banks, Columbus, Ga. 

S. D. Bradwell, Liberty Co., Ga. 

L. M. Cassels, Liberty Co., Ga. 

E. P. Cater, Charleston, S. C. 

J. V. H. Ditmars, Pensacola, Fla. 

R. W. Flournoy, Sandersville, Ga. 

E. K. Fulton, Sumterville, Ala. 

J. E. Fulton, Chatham Co., Ga. 

J. M. Goetchius, Columbus, Ga. 

J. L. Greer, Chambers Co., Ala. 

T. P. Hall, Talladega, Ala. 

J. Hardeman, Clinton, Ga. 

T. Hardeman, Clinton, Ga. 

F. S. Johnson, Clinton, Ga. 

G. F. Johnson, Columbus, Ga. 

M. Minister. 


4 60 }-> 








ADDENDUM 


J. W. Kendrick, Chunnenuggee, Ala. 
Joseph H. King, Roswell, Ga. 

S. L. Knox, Talladega Co., Ala. 

W. L. LeConte, Macon, Ga. 

G. W. Ladson, Roswell, Ga. 

John G. Lane, Midway, Ga. 

S. C. Lanier, Macon, Ga. 

A. S. Little, Putnam Co., Ga. 

S. H. Little, Putnam Co., Ga. 

J. H. Martin, Bainbridge, Ga. 

W. J. Martin, Liberty Co., Ga. 

J. S. McBride, Sumter District, S. C. 
A. P. Miller, Charleston, S. C. 
William Pelham, Alexandria, Ala. 

E. A. Pressly, Chambers, Co., Ala. 

N. P. Quarterman, Liberty Co., Ga. 

S. J. Quarterman, Liberty Co., Ga. 
John Redd, Columbus, Ga. 

William Redd, Columbus, Ga. 

J. A. Shingler, Columbus, Ga. 

W. R. Slaughter, Dadeville, Ala. 

J. Q. Spencer, Liberty Co., Ga. 

W. W. Spencer. Liberty Co., Ga. 
Oscar Stewart. St. Mary’s Ga. 

J. F. Stinson, Sulphur Springs, Ga. 

T. F. M. Tarver, Russell Co., Ala. 

O. Varnadoe, Liberty Co., Ga. 

H. J. Winn, Monroe Co., Ga. 

Total.44 


RECAPITULATION 

Number who joined in— 


1839 .19 

1840 . 5 

1841 .14 

1842 ...,. 7 

1843 .:. 4 

1844 . 5 

1845 ...10 

1846 . 29 

1847 .;.12 

1848 .11 

1849 ..11 

1850 . 9 

1851 .1.25 

1852 . 9 

1853 .25 

1854 .10 

1855 .24 

1856 . 14 

1857 .29 

1858 . 5 

Total.277 

Present Members. 44 


4 61 




























































































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